By: Cynthia A.

Directed by: Spike Jonze

Written by: Spike Jonze

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pratt & Scarlet Johansson

Set in the near future in Los Angeles, California, a man recently suffering through a divorce, finds a connection with his new artificial intelligent Operating System.  Her explores what it means to have a relationship and all the turbulent emotions that go along with it from what it means to live and what it means to love and be loved in return.

Simply a beautiful movie.  Grounded in the reality that love is a complex emotion (a very true statement) this movie takes apart all of those real and powerful emotions to explore the meaning of love and what defines a relationship looking at what makes us human.  The movie follows Joaquin Phoenix who is dealing with the end of his marriage with the love of his life.  He is heartbroken as he struggles to deal with his life away from the woman that he loved.

This movie delves deep into the concept and conception of a relationship.  It’s complex, real, grounded in reality even though it is a science fiction movie.  This movie more than it looks like at first glance.  The movie is real, the movie is powerful and impactful and hilarious, a mix of emotions.  That is what gives this movie so much beauty and soul.  The script delivers this a raw and naked truth, untethering what is considered “norm” unraveling the human condition and revealing the bare flesh underneath it, then there is the cinematography and the detail to who the main character is and why he experiences so much heartache at the loss of his ex-wife.

Spike Jonze did a magnificent job writing this movie, using flashback scenes to build the heartache and his growing connection with Samantha, his Operating System.  But more than that, the screenplay shows how he has not only grown as a person, but how he has grown as a loving individual.  A man unhappy with himself finally finds a way to love and accept himself in a relationship that compliments who he is.  This is something everyone searches for.  No one is ever done exploring who they are and they are parts of ourselves we don’t like, but it’s learning to accept those parts and finding someone who offers unconditional support that allows us to grow and love ourselves to our fullest.  Jonze did an amazing job getting to the core of what a real relationship is and how we can all find that special someone who accepts us as much, if not more, that ourselves.  And the added humor into the movie are perfectly timed, perfectly written and priceless. They lighten the mood of the movie but at the same time highlight the beauty and wonder of living and being happy.

Moreover, the cast was amazing.  Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix deliver top-notch performances, delivering their lines and connecting with their character effortlessly.  Both characters show unconditional support for one another and bring to light what happiness is, what heartache is.  Phoenix as well is amazing.  Not only is his delivery amazing but also his facial expressions were amazing, expressing true happiness, pain, and uncomfortable moments that were hilarious.  And let’s not forget Scarlet Johansson who voiced the Operating System Samantha.  Even though she was just a voice, she was able to convey all the complex emotions that make someone human.  As just a voice she was able to bring her character to life. 

A truly masterful and beautiful movie about love and the complexities that make it so worthwhile.  ★★★★ (A+)